Display apparatus



M5, 1929. J. J. Moams I 1,704,402

DISPLAY APPARATUS l as Max:115, 1929. J. J. MORRIS 1,704,402

DISPLAY APPARATUS ed June 14, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 5, 1929. J J, MoRRls 1,704,402

DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed June 14, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .[nvenibnkhmes JxMorrza Patented Mar. 5, 1929.

UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES J. MORRIS, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T HILTON M. MAYER, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DISPLAY APPARATUS.

Application filed June 14,

The present invention is related to display apparatus of the type illustrated, described and claimed in the pending application for Letters Patent oi. the United States filed by 6 Benjamin J. Buckingham February 28, 1924,

Serial No. 695,648. i i

The object of the invention is to provide a display apparatus of the type mentioned,

the general organization and construction of which is such that the assembly of its parts may be effected with greater facility and case than the construction referred to; it also aims to accomplish the operation of the apparatus in a more positive manner, and with the expenditure of less power for such operation; and it also seeks to provide a construction which is more compact and less liable to derangement of the operative parts than the apparatus to which reference has been made.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the nature of the improvements is better understood, the invention consisting substantially in the novel construction, comliination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

preferred embodiment is disclosed herein. It is to be taken as such preferred emln'idimcnt. and is, therefore, illustrative of a practical adaptation of the inventive concept without imposing upon that concept undue restriction or limitations.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a face elevation, partially in section, of a display apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. is an end elevation thereof, the enclosing casing or housing being illustrated in section;

Figs. and. 4 are fragmentary vertical cross-sectional views on the lines 3-3 and 4*4, respectively, of Fig. 2; I

Fig 5 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 55, Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on' 1926. Serial No. 115,700.

Referring now in detail tothe accompanying drawings, the numeral 15 designates four corner posts which constitute the uprights of the machine frame. These corner posts preferably are formed ofangle iron. Connected to the lower ends of the posts 15 is a quadrangular base whichincludes end memhers 16 and side members 17. These also are formed of angle iron, the end and side mem bers 16 and 17 being connected to affordstability to the base. A similar frame constitutes the head of the machine, this also being formed of end rails 18 and siderails 19. These end and side rails also are connected, and the entire head frame is mounted upon the upper ends of the corner posts 15.

The head frame afi'ordsa support for the driving mechanism of the machine. By arranging the driving mechanism on the head frame this mechanism is at a remote point in the general structure but conveniently accessible when such is desired, and its location at the top of the machine also affords a more uniform distribution of the power than if located at the bottom thereof. The driving mechanism includes an electric motor 20 to the armature shaft of which is connected a speed reducing transmission 21. in this transmission is a horizontally disposed worm shaft 22, and interposed between this shaft andthe armature shaft of the Included 1 motor 20 is a coupling 23, electrically insusaid shaft 25 is elongated so as to extend across the width of the machine, one of its extremities being mounted for rotation 111 a bearing bracket 26 which is sustained at one end of the head frame of the machine. The

other end of the shaft 25 also projects beyond the casing of the speed reducing transmission, and on each end of said shaft 25 there is mounted a fixcdsprocket wheel 27 over which is trained a relatively short sprocket chain 28.

mission,

To look the worm wheel 24: into engagement with the shaft 25, so as to cause the latter to rotate with said wheel a detent- 29 is arranged formed in the shaft 25, and oi such length as to permit the pivot pin 31 to havelimited movement in relation to said shaft; The ends oi? the pivot pin 31 also extend into a slidable collar 33 which surrounds the shaft 25, said collar having an annular groove 34: into which lit a pair of inwardly extending studs carried by the forked end of an operating lever 36 pivot-ally mounted, as at 37, upon a supporting frame 38 which is carried by the head frame of the machine. The end at. the detent 29 which is opposite to its pivoted end is curved to provide an engaging nose39. his nose is received by a slot l0 extending lengthwise of the bor of the hub of the wheel Ql. A cam ring ll is also iitted within the bore of the hub oi the wheel 24, the same being engaged by the nose 39 when the collar is moved on the shaft 25 away from the casing of the speed reducing trans In that movement the nose 39 rides over the cam ring ll, against the pre re of a spring 5 2, and fin such. movement the wheel. 2d is released from its locked relation to the shaft 25. The spring 4-2 is disposed in the slot 30 of the shaft 35, and its pressure is ex erted against the detent 29 to force the latter into the slot- 40 of thewheel 24. This follows when the collar is moved towards the easing of the speed reducing transmission,. alter the nose 89 has cleared the cam ring 41 in that movement. Thus, PIIOVlSlOn is made for connecting and disconnecting the wheel 24. to the shaft 21'. The purpose oi this will appear at a later point herein.

F or actuating the lever 36 oppositely disposed cords or cables 4 areemployed. One of these cords or cables extends from each side of the lever 36, being threaded through a U shaped guide it: which is carried by the frame 38, the extremities ot the cords or cables as extending through the casing ofthe machine and to a point below the upper end thereof to be 5; asped conveniently by the attendantof the machine when it is desired to release or connect the wheel from or to the she 25. It will be understood that the sh: a; 535

oi dis 'ilay meinl crs on w ich the articl s to be exhibited are h s fi nt way and me iber i V (lisp succession in. a predcr i 0 it n 9 l *0 V I spec LO one macmnc dame, r we passing the display members by an observation point or points to exhibit the contents thereof to an observer or observers viewing the machine.

It has been stated tha t 1e present invention ci'mtemplates such an oro'aniraetion of the structural elements of the machine as to render the same con'ipact and operative under expenditure oi relatively small power. To this end the organization oi the machine, with particular reference to the actuating parts for the display members, duplicates the actasting parts at opposite sides of the n'lachine. be imdeistood, therefore, that in the 'lollowing description the structural teatures enumerated therein are th "a me at either side of the machine, and be of this duplication there is a uniforn'i d1. rihution oi the power from the mo or :20, which renders the operation oi: the s positive and steady, and with freedom from jerlts as the several display members pass throughout their path oi movement.

Mounted on the uprights 15, at each side of the frame, and disposed in spaced relation with respect to each other from the top to the bottom oi the frame structure is a plurality of supporting plates 45 of channel. :l'ormation. Four of these plates are ilhii 'atcd in the drawings. On certain of these plates 4-5 are mounted guiding sprocket wheels 46. Two of these wheels d6 are located on each of the supporting plates as with which they are associated and said wheels F6 are also arranged that the axes of the upper wheels are in vertical alignment with the-ax s of the lower wheels. By this arrangement the guiding sprocket wheels 46 are so aligneil that a sprocket chain -17 which is trained thereover presents a quadran ular outline in its path of movement, as clean y illusa a :ed in The side stretches, therejtm'e of the chains i" I move in a vertical path while the top and bottom stretches move in a horizontal path.

Each of the sprocket wheels -16 is u'iounted on a screwthreaded stud lS by which the same is held for rotation on the supporting niember 45 with which it is associated.

Firsedly connected to one of the guiding sprockets 46 at each side of themachine frame at the top of the latter is a transmitting sprocket wheel 49, and it is to these sprocket wheels 4519 that the chains 28 are connected, whereby motion is imparted from the shaft 25, through the sprocket wheels 27, to the transmitting sprockets 49. This establishes driving connection f om the shaftto the chains 4:7, and on the operation oi said shaft 25 the chains 41;? cans-ed to move in the quadrangular path to which reference has previously been made.

lot

intermediate the plates on which the upper and lower main guidingsprocket Wheels. 46 are mounted. Each of the transfer wheels 50 is secured to the supporting member 45 by a screw-threaded stud 51, and thus is capable of rotation in relation to said member 45. A transfer sprocket chain 52 is trained over the wheels 50, and said chain 52 also passes around an idler sprocket wheel 53 which is carried by a depending supporting arm 54 having adjustable connection with the plate 45 to which the transfer sprockets 50 are connected. By the adjustment of the support 54 the tension of the transfer chain 52 may be regulated, it being tightened or loosened as desired in accordance with the adjustment of the support 54. Associated with one of the transfer wheels 50 is a guiding sprocket wheel 55 over which is trained a driving sprocket chain 56. The latter also is trained over an auxiliary driving sprocket wheelx57 which is associated with one of the main guiding sprocket wheels 46 at the upper end of the machine. construction just described movement is communicated from the last mentioned main guiding sprocket wheel 46, actuated by the chain 47 which passes thereover, to the transfer chain 52, so that the chain 52 moves in unison with the chain 47.

Located at the lower end of each side of the machine frame is a further transfer sprocket chain 58. This is trained over a pair of transfer sprocket wheels 59 mounted by screwthreaded studs (30 on the supporting plate 45 atthe lower end of each side of said frame. A supporting arm 61 carries an idler sprocket wheel (32 at its upper end, and said chain 58 passes over said sprocket wheel 62. The supports 61 are adj ustably connected to their respective supporting members 45, and by the adjustment of said supports the tension of the chains 58 is either increased or decreased.

A guiding sprocket 63 is associated with one of the transfer wheels 59, and a driving sprocket chain 64 is trained over said wheel 63,

and also over an auxiliary driving wheel 65 which is associated with one of the lower main guiding sprocket wheels 46. Thus thechain 64 communicates driving movement from the sprocket chain 47 to the lower transfer chain 58, and this chain thereby also is caused to move in unison with the sprocket chain 47 and the upper transfer chain .52.

\Vith the exception of the upper supporting member 45 the other supporting members are slotted, as at 66, and through saidslots the fastening bolts, by which the members 45 are held in engagement with the frame members 15, are passed, thus providing for adjustment of the members 45, with resultant adjustment of the several sprocket wheels which are carried thereby, and this adjustment, in turn, may be utilized in the tensioning of the sprocket chains.

By referring to Fig. 5, the construction of By the the mounting of the several sprocket wheels on the frame of the machine will be seen. The construction shown in this view is typical of the construction of the several screwthe wheels. Surrounding the stud is a sleeve 69. The hub of the wheel surrounds the sleeve 69, and the outer ends of thesleeves 69-bear against the flanges 67. Located at the inner.

ends of the studs, and fastened theretoas by headed screws 70, are a. plurality of guartl plates 71. Theseguard plates serve to screen the sprocket chains and sprocket wheels, and

prevent the display members from contact ing with the wheels and chains.

As also illustrated in Fig. 5, it will be ob. served that as where one of the transfer sprocket wheels 50 and itsassociated driving sprocket 55 are mounted for conjoint rotation, the same are connected, as by screws 7 2. These screws pass through arcuate slots 72' formed in the wheel 50. \Vhen the screws are loosened thewheel 50 may be rotated to a limited extentwith respect to the wheel 55,

thus permitting relative adjustment between these wheels. The purpose of this will a;- pear at a later point herein. a

The display member-s are designated by thenumeral 73. Each comprises a pair of side walls 74, and each of these side walls has a plurality of supporting flanges 75 extending 1 inwardly therefrom, and formed in said sides by stamping out the metal of the sides. The flanges 75 afford means for sustaining trays 76 upon which to place the articles to be displayed, and said trays are secured to said flanges by machine screws 77 or their equivalent, which pass through openings formed in the flanges. i

To suspend the display members 73, each is provided at its upper end with a transverse supporting sleeve 78. This sleeve extends between theside walls 74. A closure plug 79 is fitted in each end of the sleeve 78 and passes through the adjacent side wall 74, each of said plugs having a flange 80. The plugs are held in theirrespective ends of the sleeve 78 by frictional engagement therewith,

the flanges 80 serving tolimit the inward movement of the plugs as the same are driven into the sleeve. The outer ends of the plugs 79 project substantially beyond the side walls 74, and are bored out for the reception of pintles 81 carried by certain links of the chains 47, whereby the display members are caused to move with said chains as the latter are operated. An inwardly-extending bushing 82 adj ustably receives one end of the sleeve 78, a screw 83 carried by the bushing serving to engage the sleeve and hold the latter within the bushing 82. hen so adjusted the side walls 74 are held in a fixed relation with respect to each other.

For maintaining the display members T3 in proper vertical position, and to prevent the same swinging on the supporting member 78, each side wall thereof has, at its outer face, a pair of guide rolls 8% and These rolls are mounted on vertically. disposed strips 86, arranged at the outer sides of the side walls 74. The rolls are arranged at the lower ends of the walls 74, while the rolls 8i are at a point substantially midway between the upper and lower ends of said side walls, being aligned with the rolls 85. During the travel of the chains 47, the rolls 84 and 85 travel along the inner faces of thecorner posts 15. The guard plates 71, will be observed from Fig. 5, have their edges spaced from the flanges of the posts 15, and this spacing suflicient distance to provide for passage of the rolls 84 and 85 between the edges of said plates and the flanges of the corner posts. Thus, vertical grooves are formed in which the rolls 84: and 85 are adapted to travel as the display members 73 move along the vertical stretches of the chains "'7. lily reason of this construction, the ver .cal position of the display members is preserved, and they are prevented also from swinging on the supporting members 78.

By reference to Figs. 2, 7 and 8, it will also be seen that the ends of the guard plates '2']. are spaced apart a sufiicient distance to pro vide horizontal guide spaces or passages for the rolls 84: and 85, and as the display incinbers 73 follow the horizontal stretches of the chains 47 these rolls pass through said horizontal guide spaces. The distance between the latter is substantially the same as the distance between the rolls 8% and 85, and time said spaces readily accommodate said rolls as the display members 73 are transferred from one vertical stretch of the chains 41 7 to the other vertical. stretch thereof. In this transfer, it will be understood that, in the movement of the chains 47, the display members 73 rise at one side of the machine and descei l at the other. As the upper ends of the display members 73 reach the upper horizont l stretch of the chains 45F, and pass around the contiguous main guiding sprockets 46, it is necessary that the lower end of each of the display members 73 shall also be deflected in a l'iorizontal direction, and thereby preserve the vertical position of'the member in the transfer from the ascending stretch of the chained? to the descending stretch thereof. To this end each side of each of the members 73 has a deflecting shoe 87 arranged at its lower end. This shoe has downwardly and out mrclly inclined edges 88, the lower end of the shoes 87 being of sufficient width as to overlap the space between the flanges of the corner posts 15 and the edges of the guard plates Tl. This assists in pro ,erly guiding the display members 73 as they rise and dc scend at the opposite sides of the machine. A contact linger 89 is carried by one of the flanges of each of the two corner peels 15 at one side of the machine. They project into the path of moven'ient of the deflecting shoes 87. In the rise of these slices the downwardly inclined edges 88 thereof which are in align ment with the contact lingers S9 strike the latter. These edges, in riding over the lower edges of the lingers @9, project he lower ends of the uppermost display member 73 horizo; rally 1 till into the space between the adjacent guard plates 71.. This is the space which is also opposite to the horizontal stretch of the uppermost transfer chain 52. The chain at each side of the machine, is equipped with a pair of engaging studs 90. said studs being sc nirated a distance approximately the diameter of the rolls 85. The movement of the chains 52 is timed, and the studs 90 are positioned thereon such points, that the rolls will enter the spare betv-teen the studs 90 as the lower end of the display member 73 which is bcino transferred beans its horizontal movement from the ascending stretch of the chains 47 to the dcsccmliug stretch thereof. ll hen the studs 90 thus are engaged with the rolls 85 the movement of the transfer chains 52 effects movement of the lower ends of the display members 73 in unison with their upper ends and because of this the vertical position of the members 73 is preserved. Thus the rolls 8% and 85 are caused siumltaneou to enter the guide groove at the opposite side of the nachine formed by the flanges of the corner posts 15 thereat and the adjacent edges of the guard plates 71.

By the formation of the arcuate slots 72 in the wheel 50, and the adjustability thereby of this wheel with respect to the wheel 55 when the screws 72 are loostncd, the chains 52- may be moved to advance or retard the (m ragement of the studs 90 with respect to the rolls This enables the proper timing of such engagement so that the lower ends of the dis play members will st: t the transverse travel across the machine at the same time that the upper ends of these member. commence that travel.

The transfer chains 58 at the lower end of the machine act in manner similar to the transfer chains 52, but there is associated with each of the lower chains 58, in proximity to the horizontal stretch thereof, a guide flange 91. This guide flange parallels the horizontal stretch of the adjacent chain 5% its ends being curved with the axes of the wheels 59 as the center the radius. In th descent, therefore, of the display members 73, the rolls follow the guide flanges 91, and thereby are caused to deflect the lower ends oi these members from the descending vertical path into the horizontal path of movement to transfer the members 73 from the descending stretch of the chains l7 to the ascending stretch thereof. The chains 58 are equipped with engaging studs similar to the studs of the chains in order to insure proper movement of the lower ends of the members 73. and the same provision also is made with the chains 58 and their wheels to r timing engagement of the studs with the rolls of the members '73 as above described in con nection with the chains 58.

Th at the horizontal stretches of the chains 47 may be relieved of the weight of the several display members 7 3, and the articles carried thereby, a supporting rail 92 is located in proximity to each of said stretches, as clearly seen in Figs. 3 and 1. The outer ends of the closure plugs 79 rest upon and travel over said rails 92, thereby imposing the weightof the members 73 on these rails, and preventing sagging of the chains 47. A smoother movement of the chains results. Each of said rails 92 also is arranged at the head of the adjacent guard plate 71 and the latter, therefore, is free from the weight of the members 73 as they are transferred from the ascending to the descending stretches of the chains, and vice versa.

The guard plates 71 are arranged between the corner posts 15 and are connected thereto by a plurality of anchoring brackets 93.

Because of the proximity of the chains 47 and 56, and to avoid rubbing contact of. adjacent portions of these chains in the operation of the apparatus, it is desirable that such adjacent portion shall be properly separated. This is accomplished by vertically disposed division strips 94, preferably formed of relatively thin sheet metal, said strips being mounted on the adjacent stanchions one of: which is located within each of the corner posts 15. In thus separating the chains referred to their frictional engagement is pre vented so that the life of the chains is prolonged. i

In the display of the merchandise or other articles to be exhibited by the members 73, it will. be understood that any number of trays 76, such as may be accon'imodated by the supporting flanges 7 5 ot the side walls 74, may be employed. The articles are placed on the trays, and the latter separated a sufiicient distance determined by the height of the articles thereon. In some instances it is desirable that the articles be placed in various angular positions, or at inclinations to the trays 76. To permit this one or more supporting bars 96 maybe utilized, each of said bars having at its ends depending studs designed to engage the openings of the flanges 75, and thus permit the bars to be detachably connected to said flanges. These bars extend across the entire width of the display members 7 3, and are arranged at such height above the trays 76 as to provide the requisite support for the articles in the inclined or angular position in which the articles may be placed.

for 1 their most effectual display. Furthermore, thebars 96 afford means from which articles may be suspended, if it be desired to dispense with the trays 76, or the latterand the bars may be employed jointly, certain articles being placed on the trays, and others being suspended from the bars. Thus, the range of the apparatus for the purposes for which it is designed may beconsiderably ex tended.

a In Fig. 12 is illustrated-in enlarged detail the auxiliary manually-operated drive for the machine. When the motor20 is disconnected from driving relation with the chains 47, aswhen the detent 29 has been shifted to disconnect the wheel 24 from the driving shaft 25, it is essential that provision be made For movement of the chains 47 for shifting the position'of the display members 73. In such condition the manual drive illustrated in Fig. 12 is employed. This includes a shaft 9701i one end of which is mounted a worm 98.

The latter is designedto engage a worm wheel 99, which wheel is associated with one of the main guiding sprockets 46. The shaft 97 is fitted within a sleeve pivotally mounted to one of the corner posts 15, as at 101. This pivotal mounting permits the swinging of the shaft 97 so that the worm 98 may be brought into engagement with the wheel 99 or released from such engagement. The shaft 97 is of suilicient length to project beyond the casing or housing of the machine. Its outer extremity is squared, or otherwise suitably shaped, for the application of an operating crank. Such extremity also passes through an ad just-ment plate 102 having a slot and bolt con nection 103, whereby the plate 102 may be moved in either direction of its length, whereupon the. worm 98 maybe engaged with or released from the Worm Wheel 99. When so engaged, it is evident that rotation of the shaft 97 will operate the chains 47 to move the display members 7 3 to any desired point,

and it the motor 20 be disconnected from its drivih relation to the shaft 25, the manual drive which has just been described may be employed for the actuation of the machine.

The framework of the machine, and the moving parts thereof, may be enclosed in a casing or housing 104, and when so enclosed these parts are obscured from View. A suit able portion oi the casing may remain open so that each otthe display members 73 may pass successive] into view. In such circumstances a central partition 105 is arranged be tween the verticalstretches of the chains 47 to serve as a screen between the member 73 which is passing the observation opening,

its motion through the chains 28 to the chains $7. This causes the several display members 73 to move upwardly and downwardly at opposite sidesof the machine, and successively to pass a given point for observation. Articlcs of merchandise, or such other articles which it is desired to be displayed, may be placed on the seve al members 73, and thus will be exhibited in the HIOVCIHGDt of the members 78. Each of these members follows the quad angular path in which the chains 47 are arranged, and thus alternately rise and descend at the opposite vertical stretches of these chains. In transfer from one side of the machine to the other the members 73 are preserved in their vertical suspended positions, so that the articles carried thereby are not disturbed, and from the fact that the lower ones of the members 73 are guided .in unison with the upper ends thereof as the members are transferred from one vertical stretch of the chains 47 to the other vertical stretch of the same, the members 78 move with freedom and are not subjected to jerks or other uncertain movements.

I claim i 1. In display apparatus of the character described, the combination With a frame, of a pair of endless chain display conveyors arranged at opposite sides of said frame, guide wheels over which said conveyors are trained and arranged to support the conveyors for travel in a quadrangular path, driving mechanism for said conveyors, and independent endless chain transfer conveyors also associa ted with said endless conveyors for effecting transli'cr from one stretch of the endless conveyors to the other of the articles to be displayed.

2. In a display apparatus of the character described, the combination with a frame, of a pair of endless chain display conveyors arranged atopposite sides of said frame, guide wheels over which said conveyors are trained and arranged to support the conveyors for travel in a quadrangular path, driving mechanism for said conveyors, means for sup-- porting on said conveyors the articles to be displayed, said endless conveyors being mounted so that opposite stretches thereof travel in vertical, paths, and independent endless chain transfer conveyors associated with said endless display conveyors for effecting transfer from one stretch of the endless dis play conveyors to the other stretch thereof of the supporting means for the articles to be displayed, said transfer conveyors being located at different points with reference to the endless conveyors, whereby to transfer the supporting means for the articles to be dis played at both the upper and lower portions of the apparatus.

In a display apparatus of the character described, the combination with a frame, of a pair of endless chain display conveyors arranged at opposite sides of said frame, guide wheels over which said conveyors are trained and arranged to support the conveyors for travel in a quadrangular path, driving mcchanism for said conveyors, means for supporting on said conveyors the articles to be dis played, said endless display conveyors being mounted. so that opposite stretches thereof travel in vertical paths, separate endless chain transfer conveyors associated with said end less display conveyors for effecting transfer from one stretch of the endless display conveyors to the other stretch thereof of the sup porting means for the articles to be displayed, and driving connections between the endless conveyors and the transfer conveyors for ac tuating the latter in unison with the endless conveyors.

4. In a device of the character described. a supporting frame, an. endless chain main conveyor of quadrangular form, a plurality of auxiliary chain conveyors transversely arranged with respect to the main conveyor, article carriers on the main conveyor, guard plates between the article carriers and the conveyor chains defining guideways for pertions of the carriers, means for driving the main conveyor, and chain and sprocket connections between the main conveyor and the auxiliary transverse conveyor.

5. In a display apparatus of the character described, a supporting frame, an endless chain main conveyor, a plurality of auxiliary transfer einlless chain conveyors transversely arranged with respect to the main conveyor, article carriers supported in parallel position on the main conveyor, sprocket and chain connections between the main an d auxiliary conveyors, said connections being adjustable to permit timing of the auxiliary conveyor relative to the main conveyor, means for dcfiecting the article carriers into positive engagement with the auxiliary conveyors, said auxiliary conveyors effecting the transfer of the article carriers from one reach of the main conveyor to the other.

6. In a disolay apparatus of the character described, a supporting frame, a pair of main endless conveyor chains arranged at opposite sides of said frame, guide wheels over which the conveyor chains are trained supporting lit) the conveyors for travel in a quadrangular path, a plurality of auxiliary endless chain conveyors on opposite sides of said frame arranged transversely of the main conveyor, chain and sprocket connections between the main and auxiliary conveyors, means for driving the conveyors, a plurality of guard plates mounted in spaced relation with the frame and each other defining guideways between the plates, article carriers supported on the main conveyor having guide members which traverse the guideways, said auxiliary conveyors being adapted to engage and transfer the article carriers from one reach of the main conveyor to the other, and deflecting means for positively moving the carriers into engagement with the auxiliary chain conveyor.

7. In a display apparatus of the character described. a supporting frame, a pair of main endless conveyor chains arranged at opposite sides of the frame, guide wheels over which the conveyor chainsare trained. supporting the conveyor chains for travel in a quadrangular path, a plurality of auxiliary endless chain conveyors on opposite sides of the frame arranged transversely of the main conveyor, chain and sprocket connections between the main and auxiliary conveyors,

means for driving the conveyors, a plurality of guard plates mounted in spaced relation with the frame and each other defining guideways between the plates and portions of the frame, article carriers supported on the main conveyor having guide members which traverse said guideways, said guard plates being provided with supporting rails for engagement with the guide members of the article carriers to relieve the weight of the carriers on the transverse reach of the main conveyor chains. 7

S. In a display device comprising a supporting frame with endless chain main conveyors arranged on opposite sides of the frame providing storage and display space therebetween, a plurality of auxiliary chain transfer conveyors transversely arranged with respect to the main conveyors, article carriers supported at their upper ends from the chains of the main conveyor and having means for engagement by the transverse c011- veyor to insure positive transfer of the lower ends of the carriersfrom one reach of the main conveyor to the other.

9. In a display device, a frame structure consisting of a plurality of vertically disposed angle upright members connected at their base and heads by quadrangular frame structures, spaced horizontal channel support members connecting the upright members on opposite sides of the frame, stud shafts mounted in alinementon the channel supports, guide sprockets mounted on the shafts, endless chains trained around certain of the sprockets to travel in a quadrangular path constituting a main article conveyor, separate chains trained around remaining sprockets and constituting a conveyor transverse to the main conveyor, driving means mounted on the display conveyors, and sn'ocket and chain connectionsbetween the (isplay and transverse conveyors, the connection between the dis jilay and transverse conveyors comprising cooperating sprockets adjustably connected to permit timing of thetransverse conveyor with respect to the main conveyor.

11. In display apparatus of he character described, a supporting fIfiIl1Q,tWO endless conveyor chains on opposite sides of said frame, four wheels supporting and guiding each chain over a quadrangularpath having two substantially vertical stretches and two connecting transverse stretches, article carriers disposed in the space between said chains supported thereon, the weight of said carriers being carried by said chains in the said vertical stretches, and transverse rails on said frame on which the weight of said carriers is supported. during the 'movement over thetransverse stretches. 12; In display apparatus of the described, a supporting frame, two endless conveyor chains on opposite sides of said frame, four wheels su porting and guiding each chain over a quac rangular path having two substantially vertical stretches and two connecting transverse stretches, a vertically extending carrier disposed inthespaces between said chains and having its upper ends supported onsaidchains to be guided along said. quadrangular path, and a rail guide de fining a quadrangular path similar to the quadrangular path of said chains for guiding the lower portion of said carriers.

In displayapparatus of the character described, a supporting frame, two main end less conveyor chains on opposite sides of said frame, four wheels supporting and guiding each chain over aquadrangular path having two substantially vertical stretches andtwo connecting transverse stretches,a vertically extending carrier disposed in the spaces between said chains and having its upper ends supported on said chains to be guided along said quadrangular path, a rail guide defining a quadrangular path similar to the uadcharacter rangular path of said chains for guiding the lower portion of said carriers, and a second set of conveyor chains for positively moving the lower portion of said carrier over pertions of said rail guide.

14:. In display apparatus of the character described, a sup iorting frame, two main endless conveyor chains on opposite sides of said frame, four wheels supporting and guiding each chain over quadrangular path having two substantial] vertical s che and two connecting tr erse stretches, a JlCfllly extending our ier t SO(l in til": space hetween said char an. having its upper ends supported on said chains to be guided along said quadrangular path, a rail guide defining a quadrangular path similar to the quadrangular path of said chains for guiding the lower portion of said c, ir, a second set of conveyor chains for positively niov g the lower portion of said carrier over portions of said rail guide, and a pee. re driving connection between said main conveyor chains and said second set of conveyor chains to cause synchronous increment of upper and lower portions of said carri over said. similar paths.

15. In display apparatus of the character described, a supporting tranie, two main endless conveyor chains on opposite sides of said frame, four wheels supporting and guiding each chain over a quadrangular path having two substantially vertical stretches and two connecting transverse stretches, a vertically extending carrier disposed in. the spaces between said chains and having its upper ends supported on said chains to be guided along said quadrangular path, a rail guide defining a quadrangular path similar to the quadrangular path of said chains for guiding the lower portion of said carriers, a second set'ot conveyor chains for positively moving the lower portion of said carrier over portions of said rail guide, and a positive driving connection between said main conveyor chains and said second set of conveyor chains to cause synchronous movement of the upper and lower portions of said carriers over similar path, said driving connection h'cino' ustable to permit adjustment of the es of movement of the main conveyor chains and said second sets of conveyor chains for controll' the i live p. tions of the upper and lower POltlflllS of said carrier during said movement.

it}. In a display device ol the character described, a 'support-ingstructure comprising two spaced parallel side frames, cross menilEGl'S; interconnecting said side trainee and holding the same in spaced relationship, two endless inain sprocket chains, four sprocket wheels rotatahly supported on each of said side'fi'ai'nes for training thereon said chains to define a quadrangular path. a carrier diuposed. in the space between sand chains and having its upper portion supported thereon whereby the upper portion of said iarrier will he moved with said chains over the quadrangular path thereof, and a second set of endless sprocket chains for positively moving the lower portion of said carrier over a l path parallelly displaced the path of said lnain sprocket 17. In a display device of the character dese led, a supporting st ucture comprising two spaced parallel side frames, cross incinhers interconnecting said side frames and holding the some in spaced relationship, two endless inain sprocket chains, four sprocket wheels rotatahly supported on each of said side lraines tor training thereon said chains to define a quadrangular path, a carrier dirposed in the space between said chains and having its upper portion supported thereon whereby the upper portion olf said carrier will he moved with said chains over the quadrangular path thereof, and a second set of endless sprocket chains for positively movi. the lower portion o1 said carrier over a (piadrangular path parallelly displaced against the path of said inain sprocket chains, said second set of sprocket chains being supported by said side frames coplanar with corresponding nlain chains.

18. In a display device of the character described, a supporting structure comprising two spaced parallel side frames, cross inenn hers interconnecting said side frames and holding the same in spaced relationship, two endless inain sprocket chains, iour sprocket wheels rotatably supported on each of said side frames for training thereon said chains to define a quadrangular path, a carrier dis posed in the space between said chains and having its upper portion supported thereon whereby the upper portion oi? said carrier will be moved with said chains over the quadrangular path thereoil', two additional endless sprocket chains operably mounted on each side frame in spaced relationship below the upper and lower transverse stretches of the corresponding main chain, and me ns on the lower portions of said carrier arranged to be engaged by said additional sprocket chains for positively transferring the lower portion of said carrier from one vertical stretch to the other while the upper portion thereof is being transferred by said niaiu chains.

19. In a display device of the Clltti'ELClPl' do scribed, a supporting structure con'iprir-ting two spaced parallel side :t'raines, cross lIlGll'lhers interconnecting said side frames and holding the same in spaced relationsnip, two endless main sprocket chains, tour sprocket wheels rotatahly supported on each of said side frames for training thereon said chains to define a quadran r path, a carrier disposed in. the spec. tween said. chains and llll) lllll having its upper portion supported thereon whereby the upper portion of said carrier will be moved with said chains re" the quadrangular path thereof, and guard plates supported by each side frame in front of said sprocketchains, the shape of said guard plates being such that the edges thereof constitute guide rails defining quadrangular paths similar to and parallelly displaced against the path of said main chains, the lower portion of said carrier having roller means engaging said guide rails for movement over the quadrangular path thereof, said additional sprocket chains being an ranged to engage said roller means for positivc movement thereof over the horizontal transverse portions of said guide rails.

20. In a display apparatus, a frame structure including two spaced upright side frames, each side frame comprising two up standing posts and four transverse members holding said posts in spaced relationship, a pair of main sprocket wheels rot-atably supported on the uppermost transverse member, a second pair of main sprocket wheels disposed on the transverse member third from the top, the sprocket wheels on each of said tran verse members being horizontally spaced from each other, an endless sprocket chain trained over said four sprocket wheels, at third pair of sprocket wheels on the transverse member second from the top, a fourth pair of sprocket wheels on the transverse member fourth from the top, an independent endless sprocket chain trained over the third pair of sprocket wheels, a second independent endless s rocket chain trained over the fourth pair 0 sprocket wheels, an idler sprocket wheel supported by said second transverse member for tensioning the first independent sprocket chain, an adjustable arm holding said idler on said transverse member, a similaridler supporting arm associated with the fourth transverse member for tensioning the second independent sprocket chain, said first independent sprocket chain being coplanar with said main chain and being disposed in the space therebetween, said second independent sprocket chain being coplanar with the first independent sprocket chain, a sprocket chain connection between one of the sprocket wheels on the uppermost transverse member and one of the sprocket wheels on the second transverse member, a sprocket chain connection between one of the sprocket wheels on thethird transverse meni- N31 and one of the sprocket chains of the fourth transverse member whereby the two independent sprocket chains are driven in synchronism with the main sprocket chain, and carriers disposed in the space between said two main sprocket chains and having the upper ends thereof supported and guided by said main sprocket chains, the lower portion of said carriers being arranged to en gage and be guided by said independent sprocket chains.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JAMES J. MORRIS. 

